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Ortiz gives it a shot
BALTIMORE — Red Sox DH David Ortiz, who was administered a cortisone shot in his inflamed left shoulder Wednesday, was back in the starting lineup Friday night against tough Orioles lefthander Erik Bedard.
The Red Sox lost, 6-5.
Ortiz said it was the second cortisone shot he’s had. The first was in his right shoulder, which he injured in 2004. He hurt both shoulders making headfirst slides.
‘‘It’s just going to keep on bothering me on and off, just like I told you before,’’ said Ortiz. ‘‘The shoulder’s an injury, if you don’t have the time off, you can’t get better. So [the doctor] told me, ‘Just try to not miss a pitch.’
‘‘We’ll see. I was swinging today and I felt fine. I feel better. It wasn’t like it was the other day.’’
Ortiz made contact during the Sox’ five-run rally in the eighth, a two-run single off lefthanded reliever Jamie Walker. Ortiz went 1 for 4 on the night with 2 RBIs.
One of the biggest downsides to having a sore shoulder, Ortiz said, is that he is unable to lift weights at the same level he has in the past. ‘‘I’m not doing the heavy lifting I normally do.’’
A waiting game
Wily Mo Peña’s agent, Josh Zeide, said Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein has been good about keeping him apprised of developments regarding the reserve outfielder, who has cleared waivers and thus could be traded to any team.
‘‘Something may or may not happen — it depends on what the team wants to do,’’ Zeide said Friday. ‘‘But, hopefully, with Ortiz hurting a little bit, Wily Mo might get some more at-bats.’’
Peña started last night in right field in place of J.D. Drew against Bedard. Zeide acknowledged Peña wants to play more, ‘‘but Wily Mo enjoys the fans, enjoys the city, and is focused on helping the team win now.’’
In Anaheim earlier this week, Peña expressed a wish to be traded, saying, ‘‘I need to play.’’
The Sox have a potential replacement in Bobby Kielty, who hit a two-run home run for the PawSox in their 11-3 win at Syracuse. The Sox, who signed Kielty to a minor league contract Monday, want him to get some at-bats in Pawtucket before they decide whether to promote him. He played in back-to-back doubleheaders Wednesday and Thursday.
Peña’s numbers against Bedard (5 for 9, .555) factored into his playing. He came through with an RBI single in the eighth that tied the game, 1-1, and chased Bedard.
Nice trip for Lowell
Mike Lowell came into the game batting .100 higher at home (.362) than on the road but has had an excellent trip, hitting .412 (10 for 24). Lowell had four hits, including three doubles, in Wednesday’s 9-6 win over the Angels.
Catcher Jason Varitek was hitless in his last 13 at-bats and 2 for 20 on the trip. Friday night, he went 1 for 4 and scored a run.
The Orioles recalled pitcher Garrett Olson from Triple A Norfolk, and he’ll start today in place of Brian Burres, who’s been sent to the bullpen.
The Washington Post did not staff the game, a reflection of the paper’s tilt toward the Washington Nationals and the prolonged mediocrity of the Orioles. It was the first time in memory the Post has not had a staffer at a Sox-Orioles game.
Former Sox first baseman Kevin Millar is the subject of a profile in the August issue of Baltimore Magazine entitled, aptly enough, ‘‘American Idiot.’’
Wednesday’s deadline for signing draft picks is fast approaching, and the Sox have yet to come to terms with five players taken in the first seven rounds. But veteran draft-watcher Tracy Ringolsby of the Rocky Mountain News says they are close to deals with shortstop-second baseman Ryan Dent, the 62d player taken; third baseman Will Middlebrooks; first baseman-pitcher Anthony Rizzo; and first baseman David Mailman. Second-round pick Hunter Morris, a first baseman, is also unsigned.
While Tim Wakefield leads the big leagues with decisions in each of his 23 starts, Gaylord Perry has the longest such streak in the last 50 years: Perry in 1972 made 40 starts for the Braves and went 24-16. He had 29 complete games. That stat comes courtesy of Baseball-reference.com.
Amalie Benjamin contributed to this report.
This story will appear in Saturday's edition of The Boston Globe.
